701 School Food Program

SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAM
 
The school district will operate a school lunch and breakfast program.  The school food program services will include hot lunches through participation in the National School Lunch Program and supplementary foods for students during the school day.
 
Lunch and Food Service Prices
 
The Board of Directors will set, and periodically review, the prices for school lunches and milk.
 
School food services are operated on a nonprofit basis, and will comply with all regulations pertaining to health, sanitation, and service of foods.  School food services will meet all state and federal requirements for participation in state and federal programs.
 
Employees, except for food service personnel, will be required to purchase adult-price tickets for meals consumed.  Food service employees may receive a meal allowance, if their negotiated contract with the Board so stipulates.
 
School food service receipts will be used only to pay for regular food service operating costs.  When facilities are used by outside groups or agencies, an adequate fee will be charged, as approved by the Board.  If facilities are used for other than the regular program, the manager will ensure that no supplies provided for the regular program (or by USDA) are used.  The law allows the use of school lunch facilities by senior citizens; when requests for such use are directed to the Board, they will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  (See Iowa Code Section 283A.8)
 
Organization
 
The manager of food service will cooperate with the building principals in all matters essential to the proper functioning of the food service program.  The building principal in each school will be responsible for maintaining proper student discipline.  Food service personnel in each school building will be directly responsible to the food service manager and to the building principal.
 
General Regulations
 
As required for participation in the National School Lunch Program, The Board agrees to the following general regulations:
 
1.    That a "School Lunch Meal Pattern" type lunch be made available to students;
 
2.    That free or reduced-price lunches be provided to students who cannot afford the price of the "School Lunch Meal Pattern" lunch.
 
Students will also be permitted to bring their lunches from home and to purchase only beverages and incidental items.
 
Note:                District tax funds may be used to provide necessary physical plant facility, purchase the initial equipment necessary for the establishment of food service in new or existing building, and replace major equipment.
 
In addition, the Board of Directors may use funds disbursed to the district under Chapter 283A of the Iowa Code; gifts; funds received from sale of school lunches; and any other funds legally available to operate the school lunch program.
 
 
Legal References:          Iowa Code Chapter 283A;  670-10.1 (257); 670-10.2 (257)
Iowa Administrative Code 10.1; 10.2
 
 
Cross Reference:           701.4    Eligibility for Free or Reduced-Cost Meals
 
 
Adopted:  January 13, 1986                  
 
Reviewed:   February 13, 1995         
March 8, 1999
December 15, 2003
August, 2006
August, 2008
December 16, 2013
 
Revised:  March 15, 2004

701.1 Purpose of Program

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM
 
The purpose of the School Lunch Program shall be to provide nutritional, balanced meals to the students of the school district on a self-supporting, non-profit basis and to utilize the program as an instrument for the teaching of nutrition education.
 
 
Legal Reference.:          Iowa Code Section 283A.1
 
 
Adopted:  January 13, 1986                  
 
Reviewed:   February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
December 15, 2003
August, 2006
August, 2008
December 16, 2013

701.2 Scope of Program

SCOPE OF PROGRAM
 
School food service facilities are provided to serve students and all school personnel when school is in session and during school related activities.  Facilities may also be used under the supervision of the Food Service personnel for:  (1)  teacher or other school personnel groups, (2)  parent-teacher meetings, (3)  civic organization meetings for the purpose of better understanding the schools, and  (4)  senior citizens.
 
The child nutrition program shall be under the supervision of the manager of Food Service who will prepare menus and recipes, initiate purchasing, recommend personnel for employment, promotion, or dismissal, and conduct in-service training programs. The superintendent will establish and maintain a central record system, develop standards, and approve in-service training programs.
 
 
Adopted:  January 13, 1986                  
 
Reviewed:   February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
December 15, 2003
August, 2006
August, 2008
December 16, 2013

701.3 Financial Support

FINANCIAL SUPPORT
 
District tax funds may, upon approval of the Board of Directors, be used to provide necessary physical plant facilities, purchase the initial equipment necessary for the establishment of food service in new or existing building, replace major items of equipment, and for payment of the salary of the manager of Food Service.
 
 
Legal Reference:           Iowa Code Section 283A.2
 
 
Adopted:  January 13, 1986                  
 
Reviewed:   February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
December 15, 2003
August, 2006
August, 2008
December 16, 2013

701.4 Eligibility for Free or Reduced Cost Meals

ELIGIBILITY FOR FREE OR REDUCED-COST MEALS
 
Students enrolled and attending school in the school district, who are unable to afford the cost or a portion of the cost of the school lunch, breakfast and supplemental foods, will be provided the school food program services at no cost or at a reduced cost.  Whether or not a particular child is eligible for free or reduced price meals or milk will be determined by the building principal in accordance with guidelines set by the National School Lunch program.  Decisions on eligibility may be appealed to the superintendent of schools.
 
In accordance with the guidelines for participation in the National School Lunch program, and in accordance with the wishes of the Board, no child who a teacher believes is improperly nourished will be denied a meal simply because the proper papers have not been filed by his/her parents or guardian.  The needs of the individual child will always be considered first.
 
The criteria and procedures for determining a student's need and the steps to secure free or reduced price meals will be outlined and made known to the general public by the superintendent.  These criteria and procedures are established at the state/federal level.
 
Students who participate in free or reduced price meal programs will not be distinguished in any way from students who pay the regular price; great care shall be taken to protect the anonymity of these students.  Their names will not be made known to any person except such staff member or members as needed to make the special arrangements for them.
 
The Board, in accordance with state and federal requirements, adopts an annual policy statement as recommended by the Department of Public Instruction, Child Nutrition Program Division of the State of Iowa.  When such a policy is adopted, a copy of the policy statement and attachments will be included in the minutes of the Board.
 
Note:                The annual agreement on participation in food programs between the school district and the state is on file in the office of the superintendent , together with copies of application forms, news releases, and appeal procedures.  Copies of application forms are also available from each building principal's office.
 
 
Legal Reference:           Iowa Code Chapter 283A
 
 
Adopted:  January 13, 1986                  
 
Reviewed:   February 13, 1995        
March 8, 1999
December 15, 2003
August, 2006
August, 2008
December 16, 2013
 
Revised:  March 15, 2004